Book and the like index



Jan. 3, 1939. o, A. H. SCHULZ BOOK AND THE LIKE INDEX Filed Aug. 28, 19:57

Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics Application August 28, 1937, Serial No. 161,509 In Sweden June 27, 1936 1 Claim.

This invention relates to indices for books, files memoranda receptacles or similar objects which are customarily collected on shelves, whereby it is desirable that each such book etcetera be replaced in its proper place on the shelf after being withdrawn for temporary use. Experience teaches that especially in large ofl'ices or libraries where a plurality of files or books are stored, and where it is of importance that each such book or file always be found in its proper place within a distinct series of similar books or files, it happens rather frequently that some of the books etcetera inadvertently or by negligence are improperly replaced in their series. Notwithstanding the fact that the backs of the books or files are customarily provided with numerals, letters or other indices to identify their proper position such indices often are not observed because of their neutral appearance.

This invention has for its object to remove the inconveniences depending on such difiiculties, and to facilitate the keeping in perfect order of any number of books, files or the like so that everybody will observe at a glance whether said books or files are properly in their prescribed places.

According to this invention the backs of the books, files or the like are provided with fields of some distinctive appearance which fields cross the backs in an oblique direction so that within each series of books or files the fields on the backs generate a continuously running ribbon without any irregular interruption as long as every book or file of said series is in its proper place on the shelf.

One of the chief features of the present invention lies in the fact that the indices can be manufactured as standard objects and sold in the market without connection with the books or files but be applied on them when desired, and then adjusted to suit the thickness of each individual back as well as the proper place thereupon so as to comply with the intended position of a particular book within its series. This convenience of the present invention will be still more increased by the feature that the backs of the books or files are provided with framelike attachments within which the fields can be positioned in any selected height above the lower edge of the back, and this position can easily be altered if desired. Such a feature is of importance for instance when one or more of a plurality of files are to be removedfrom their present series and added to another series where their new places of order do not correspond to the former positions of their index fields.

According to this invention the indices can be manufactured and sold in the shape of long ribbons from which the individual fields are out 01? so as to comply with the thickness of the special back of a book or file on which the sample is to be applied as well as with the inclination of the ribbon which is to be generated by the coherent fields in the properly collected series.

This invention can be materialized in various ways, and I do not wish to limit myself to any strictly limited embodiment, but I have illustrated the invention in the annexed drawing in such form which I have found the most convenient. The differences, however, will not be material in any way.

In the drawing Figure 1 shows a shelf with two series of books or files in the proper position,

Figure 2 shows on an enlarged scale a portion of a back of a book or file provided with an adjustable index according to this invention, and

Figure 3 is a cross-section of said back and its adjustable index.

The same reference numerals refer to similar parts. To simplify the description, the members on which the indices are applied in the following description and claim will be referred to as books notwithstanding they may be as Well files, memoranda receptacles or the like, so that the invention is not limited to books only.

In the drawing, l designates a shelf and 2 and 3 books belonging to two independent series of such books. Each book 2 and 3 is provided on its back with fields 4 and 5 respectively which cross the back obliquely, and the fields on the various backs are disposed and shaped so that, when each series per se is complete, and the single items positioned in its proper place within the respective series all the fields 4 on the backs 2 of one series per se as well as all the fields 5 on the backs 3 in the other series per se provide continuously running ribbons without irregular interruptions. It will be apparent that a distinct interruption is present where the two series are joining each other so that there will be no difliculty in checking this spot. The fields 4 are provided with lengthwise drawn shadow lines, while the fields 5 have transverse shadow lines for the purpose of indicating that the fields of the different series may be of different appearance as to color or surface decoration or the like.

The fields 4 and 5 can be impressed on the various backs or they can consist in labels or shields which are stationarily secured to the backs on their proper places. Such labels or shields can be made of paper, fabric, Celluloid, thin metal sheets or any other suitable material, and their fastening to the back of the book can be accomplished in any suitable way, preferably in such a manner that any individual field, when desired, can be removed and re-attached higher up or lower down on the same back.

In Figures 2 and 3 a fastening device is illustrated comprising a frame having two parallel channel shaped flange members 8 of metal or any other stiff material which members preferably have their inner webs elongated so as to meet each'other forming an integral bottom plate 9 which is secured to the back 2 or 3 in any suitable way. Each field 4 or 5 consists of a loose label of metal, Celluloid, rigid card board or the like, and is inserted into the frame channels as shown in Figure 3, so that the label can be moved along the frame to the intended place back, a label arranged to extend in an inclined manner across the back of the book, said label having angularly shaped ends engaging the inner portions of the flange members, said flange members being bendable whereby the label may be moved bodily in a direction longitudinally of the book back and held in an adjusted position at the back of the book by means of the flange members.

OTTO A. H. SCHULZ. 

